Please Note

Word choice is important.  I have found that some people will "tune out" when they hear words such as spirit , God or angel.  Others will not even try to make sense out of such words as metaphysical or cosmology.  It is my desire to make these concepts available to a wide audience, but it is most important to me that what I say is clearly understood.  It is particularly important to make these concepts clear to researchers and scientists, for it is these systematic thinkers who will eventually change the Standard Cosmology into science.

The definitions provided here then, are based on the system of thought which is the Standard Cosmology.  While I have refrained from coining new terms, you will find some usages of more common terms that are rather unique to this system.  In every case, the term have been selected to convey a rational view.  As you will see stated many times in my work, this is not about religion, it is about understanding the nature of reality. 

Components of reality are manifold in that they consist of many possible manifestations or aspects an original component. As an example, a red wagon is a red object, a cargo device, and a wheeled vehicle, to name a few possibilities. Each of these qualities represent discrete possibilities or aspectations of what a red wagon might be. If you were to build a red wagon from each of these perspectives, you could end up with very different wagon.

All components of reality are aspects of reality. An aspect of a creator entity is described in the Standard Cosmology as a Self.

B (empty)

C

Continuity

A continuum is usually considered as a mathematical concept described as an unbroken line stretching from plus infinity to minus infinity. In the context of this this cosmology, continuity refers to the existence of reality ranging from the Physical Plane to the Prime Creator. The Principle of Continuity requires that there are no gaps in reality. There are regions of reality in which the ratio of bandwidth to potential of etheric energy is greater. These regions are known as planes of existence. Regions with a lower ratio of bandwidth to potential separate these planes, not gaps in reality.

Cosmology

A definition of the nature of reality, its operation and purpose for being. The cosmology discussed in the science of astronomy is a subset of the cosmology addressed in the Standard Cosmology because it is limited to the structure of the physical universe.

A member of a hierarchy that is responsible for the creation of the component of reality under discussion. For instance, the Prime Creator is the creator entity for all of reality. We are aspects of a member of this hierarchy. As such, that entity is our creator entity.

D

Differentiation is one of the great wonders of nature. As a fertilized, single cell egg begins to divide, these new cells take on specific characteristics to become specialized cells, such as bone cells or brain cells. The process of changing the characteristic of the root cell to fill the need of a specific application is referred to as cell differentiation. In the Standard Cosmology, "differentiation" refers to the transformation of etheric energy according to the worldview of an entity. As with the dividing cell, this differentiated energy continues to hold the fundamental properties associated with Natural Law that were held by the original energy, but it characteristics, such as rate of vibration and potential, are changed.

A once living person who has "died," or more correctly, has transitions out of the physical body to reside beyond the Physical Plane.  An entity that has had a physical body at one time but is not currently "living." Personal usage: It is awkward for me to refer to discarnate entities as people or as beings. There seems to be something very physical about both terms. Remember that many nonphysical entities have never been in a physical body.

A form of facilitated spirit communication or TATC that involves two way conversations employing any form of electronic device capable of making information available to human senses. This term is generally applied to communications with entities beyond the veil. There are at least six other terms for EVP, including Trans Dimensional Communications, Electronic Disturbance Phenomena, and Inter Dimensional Communications.

The Standard Cosmology holds that the Prime Creator emanates etheric energy into reality. Self receives this energy into its sphere of awareness, differentiates it according to its worldview and intentions, and emanates it into local reality. This energy is referred to as a coherent emanation when it becomes especially focused and intense, as when a person is filled with desire to accomplish something or is especially involved in the process of transforming an idea into form. Spirit uses emanated energy in the formation of reality according to the image and intention of Self.

A unit of etheric energy that has self-awareness, self-direction and a personality that sets it aside as an individual. All entities are aspects of the Prime Creator, either as members of the Formative Hierarchy or as members of the Creator Hierarchy. A Thought Form may be considered a special form of entity. It behaves as an entity but it is not believed to posses the need to return back to the Prime Creator.

The energy from which all of reality has been and continues to be created. The Prime Creator initially emanates this energy into Spiritual Reality. It is differentiated by Self to create local realities. We, as Self, also us this energy to create our local reality. Physical world energy in the electromagnetic spectrum is derived from etheric energy. There are subsets in the etheric energy spectrum just as there are subsets in the electromagnetic energy spectrum. Spirit applies the Principles of Natural Law in the operation of etheric energy, that has been emanated by Self, to form components of reality according to an image given to it by Self. The Principles of Natural Law and the availability of energy bound this formation. The availability of energy is determined by Self's ability to focus attention on an image and by the quality of Self's intention to cause this image to become part of reality. This ability is a measure of Self's spiritual maturity.

In a religious context, etheric energy is generally referred to as spiritual energy. Following the definition of Spiritual as that which concerns or is the concern of the Prime Creator, the energy initially emanated by the Prime Creator is Spiritual Energy. Although direct contact between a Self in the physical and the Prime Creator appears to represent a discontinuity in reality, it may be possible for a physical Self to receive Spiritual Energy. Otherwise, the character of energy received into the Physical Plane is believed to be very different from Spiritual Energy because of the many instances of differentiation it undergoes as it is emanated through successive levels of the Creator Hierarchy.

Etheric energy is believed to be homogeneous by nature, meaning that it is neither particle nor wave, but more a fabric. It has vibration, which ranges from the very coarse associated with the Physical Plane to the very fine as it is emanated by the Prime Creator. Its power to vibration density clusters around loci that form planes of existence of complex reality, and regions between these loci of little complexity.  The energy is also attracted to sub-loci, which are represented as an images, during the formation of components of reality.  The rate of vibration of etheric energy, from which components of reality are formed, is a determining factor for their nature and region of reality in which they will exist. Etheric energy can be set in motion, giving it the characteristics of a flow. Otherwise, it is thought to remain at rest in its natural state. When set in motion as an emanation, it has a bi-directional influence. In effect, it behaves as a link between components, capable of exerting an influence in both directions. Thus, any influence Self has on components of reality is also experienced by Self.

The operation of the Principles of Natural Law on etheric energy to create or modify a component of reality according to an image held by Self. Self emanates differentiated energy with the intention to form what it has imagined. Spirit applies the Principles of Natural Law to that energy in the actual formation of the component of reality that fulfills the imagined change in reality.

A chain of related entities originating from a single source and branching into many sources by way of repeated events of differentiation. In the Standard Cosmology, the Prime Creator is the single source. The Prime Creator is held to have produced two aspects of Itself: one with the Spiritual Instinct to manage the operation of reality; the other with the Spiritual Instinct to experience reality and to return with the understanding gained from that experience. The first aspect has become the Formative Hierarchy, while the second is the Creator Hierarchy. We are members of the Creator Hierarchy.

A conceptual model designed from what is known to describe a particular aspect of reality. A meteorological model of the weather is an example. You could say that a cosmology is the definition contained in a hypothesis. My hypothesis of reality is described by the Standard Cosmology.

I

Many organization, especially outside of the United States, have adopted ITC for as a term for TATC.

The characteristics most commonly associated with life are ubiquitous, and may represent a fractal of reality. These include growth, metabolism, reproduction, and response to stimuli or adaptation to the environment. In the Standard Cosmology, the life factual may be found in all components of reality as a common denominator. The implication is that life is the common thread that binds all components into a whole.

The reality of a particular plane or realm of existence; a locale.  A Self's personal environment.

A technique employing relaxation and mental discipline to quiet the mental process so that attention may be focused on, either nothing at all, or a specific subject. In meditation, the objective is to clear the mind of its internal chatter, thus permitting awareness of subtle forms of information from outside of the practitioner's normal awareness. Robert Monroe described the meditative level of awareness as "Mind awake, body asleep." A person may also meditate to relax and allow the physical body to recuperate. Achieving a meditative state of mind is often referred to as going to the center or going within. A practiced medium will quickly go to a meditative state of awareness for communication across the veil.  In contemplation, the practitioner uses the meditative state as a tool for problem solving.

The facilitation of communication from the higher planes into the Physical Plane. This involves a wide range of abilities that center around a medium's ability to sense etheric energy and find meaning in its organization. All people have and use mediumistic abilities; however, some have developed this latent ability into an effective tool for spirit communication. In many instances, mediums are unaware of their contribution to the phenomena.  It is important to understand that a person's interaction with nonphysical reality is facilitated by that person's mediumistic ability.  The degree to which this ability is developed in a person is most often a function of interest, practice, and spiritual maturity.

Typically, an entity existing beyond the veil will impress information on the awareness of a receptive person (the medium). This message is usually in the form of images and impressions that must be interpreted in mundane terms. This translation is dependent on, and colored by, the medium's worldview, and as such, may not be recognizable as spirit communication. Mediumship is sometimes categorized as:

• conscious mediumship
  in which the medium is mentally receptive, but otherwise fully alert.

• trance mediumship
  in which the medium is in a deep meditative state of awareness.

• channeling
  in which the medium is in a deep meditative state and has projected the Self "out of the way" so that an entity existing in the higher planes may assume control of the physical body to communicate with others.

A medium will often seem to be functioning as a battery to enable phenomena to occur; however, it is more correct to describe this mediumistic function as a catalyst for phenomena. The medium does not necessarily increase the availability of the energy required for phenomena, but functions as a locus for the accumulation of energy to form a communications field. This energy may be provided by the medium, but more often, is provided by others who have an interest in spirit communications.

Metaphysics

A philosophy dealing with the nature of reality, its structure and its operation. Since most of reality is not directly knowable, metaphysicians describe reality with models based on a consensus formed of what has been given to Humankind through spirit communications and from the collective Human experience. The Standard Cosmology is such a model. As these models are refined, so to is the ability of metaphysicians to predict the nature of reality. In a very real sense, metaphysics is a natural science concerning reality. Parapsychologists focus on finding proof of nonphysical phenomena by applying the scientific method in their research. Metaphysicians conditionally accept the phenomena as fact and seek to understand the involved principles with predictive models, experimentation, spirit communication and deduction.

The set of principles that govern the operation of reality. In the Standard Cosmology, these principles originate from the Prime Creator's worldview. They are manifested in reality as etheric energy.  That is, they are contained in etheric energy, they are carried throughout reality by that energy and they govern the operation of etheric energy. The consequences of violating Natural Law may be delayed but they cannot be avoided. That is, it is possible to do something that puts Self at odds with a Principle of Natural Law, but the Principle will eventually prevail. Natural Law is universal. Local rules, such as gravity and those governing electromagnetic energy, must operate within the parameters set by Natural Law.

In the Standard Cosmology, Natural Law is generally expressed in fundamental terms of energy and concept.  Often recognized Principles, such as the Golden Rule, are considered corollaries of these more fundamental Principles.

New Agers

A collective or group consciousness that is forming in the thinking of Humankind. The New Age community represents a new worldview about the realities of the Prime Creator and of Humankind's relationship with It. New Agers seek to be a partner with nature and to live in accordance with the Principles of Natural Law take by taking responsibility for their actions in accordance with those principles.  Perhaps this is the principle distinction between New Agers and anyone else who believes in these principles:  New Agers tend to behave as if the principles are true.

This is the same as Local Reality.

A locus of vibration for etheric energy; a region of reality created to provide specific experiences. Planes vary from one to another by changes in the character of etheric energy.  This change is often described as a change in vibration; however, this difference is expected to be more complex than a simple change in frequency. The Prime Creator's Plane is derived from the finest of vibratory rates while the Physical Plane is believed to be at the very coarsest of vibrations. Members of the Creator Hierarchy form an image of the required venue, and working with Spirit, create planes in which they may experience the operation of Natural Law. If there is a hierarchy of entities, then each level would produce venues that exist within their preceding level.  Thus, these venues would be at increasingly courser rates of vibration. A plane is distinguished from the borderlands between planes as a greater cross section of energy to spectrum of vibration than that existing in the regions between the planes.

The essence of creation and all that exists; the prime mover or Infinite Intelligence. The Prime Creator is considered to be neither male nor female, and so it is appropriate to refer to the Prime Creator as "It" rather than "He." There is no way of knowing how many intermediary entities (the hierarchy) exist between Humankind and the Prime Creator, making the extent of reality an open question. Even though metaphysics is not a religious discipline, it does depend on the given (article of faith) that reality had some form of beginning. The Standard Cosmology stipulates that the Prime Creator exists, emanates etheric energy, established the Principles of Natural Law, and manifested aspects of Itself. Things concerning the Prime Creator are referred to as Spiritual.

The Prime Creator is neither supernatural nor is It to be worshiped. Having said this, one must acknowledge that there is reason to have a deep respect for the Prime Creator as the source of our existence. However, please recognize that this respect should spring from an understanding of the importance of Natural Law in our lives, not from fear or love of a father figure.

The Principle of Continuity suggests the Prime Creator may have evolved out of a reality that is greater than Spiritual Reality. In this way, the Prime Creator may be viewed as an entity who is struggling to understand its existence, just as we are. It is held in the Standard Cosmology that the Prime Creator has expressed Its worldview as the Principles of Natural Law, and that It is evolving this worldview through realizations gained from experiences based on the operation of Natural Law. We are one of he vehicles for that experience.

A region of reality. We are told that there is a unique relationship amongst the three planes associated with our part of reality. Depending on the system of belief, these are typically referred to as the Physical Astral and Causal Planes. These three planes are said to be composed of a total of seven subplanes or kingdoms. These are: the Mineral, Plant, Animal and Human Kingdoms of the Physical Plane; the Devic Kingdom associated with the first three kingdoms and the Devic Kingdom associated with the Human Kingdom, all on the Astral Plane; and, the creator entity associated with the entire realm on the Causal Plane. The details of these divisions are highly speculative; however, it is clear that we occupy a venue for experience that:

• has several Planes associated with it

• is occupied by entities of differing levels of complexity

• is supported by Devic entities

• is under the authority of a central entity.

Who we are; that point of awareness we have, and from which we experience reality. Self is that part of you that has been differentiated out of the hierarchy of entities, and it is the aspect of you that will eventually return. Self is a node of coherent etheric energy that contains self-awareness and worldview. Its purpose for activity is derived from Spiritual Instinct.

A Self or entity of the manager hierarchy. A Nature Spirit or Deva. The third part of the Trinity that is Prime Creator, Self and Spirit.

According to the Hermetic Tradition, the Deva responsible for holding the image of this realm is Archangel Michael. Other Devic entities are assigned to components of this reality and each is believed to hold the image of its assigned component as given to it by Self. Members of the Formative Hierarchy known as Nature Spirits channel etheric energy into each component to facilitate its formation or maintenance according to the image held by the Deva.

Devic entities are also assigned to Self and its many bodies. As such, the Nature Spirits dedicated to the maintenance of Self's physical body are often referred to as Guides because of the formative influence they have on the welfare of the Self.

That which concerns or is the concern of the Prime Creator; an attitude or perspective that recognizes the Divinity of the Prime Creator. An individual may feel the need to worship things spiritual; however, this is usually an attitude of respect extended toward the fact of creation and the existence of this creative influence in our lives.

This has been a hard term to chose for this concept.  Yes, "spiritual" does have religious connotations, but after the religious baggage of faith and worship is discarded, the usage for "spiritual" is correct for the English language.  The Standard Cosmology is based on the assumption that reality is governed by intelligent forces, and I know of no other term, other than "spiritual," that names that influence.  Virtually every other term has its connotative baggage.  For instance, "Imaginary reality" is closely guarded by mathematicians for the Square root of minus one, and it suggests that the existence of a larger reality is illusional.  "The other side" is not a useful term for concepts, such as purpose and Natural Law.  "Other dimensions" leaves little room for discussion of cause or process.  And, there is nothing "parallel" about the other levels of existence.

Energy initially emanated by Prime Creator. This energy is known as etheric energy in our realm.

In the physical body, Self inherits two forms of instinctual behavior. One is the native instinct of the physical body. This set of instinctive behavior includes the urge for reproduction, survival of the body and the search for nourishment. Spiritual Instinct is the second form. This is the set of urges we inherit from our creator entity, and it includes the urge to experience reality and the urge to gain spiritual maturity.

Degree of understanding of Natural Law. Spiritual maturity is a measure of Self's ability to understand the true dynamics of an experience and to apply the Principles of Natural Law toward creating circumstances for further experience. It clear that the Self must experience some form of growth before it is appropriate for it to exit this realm. For instance, an understanding of Self's responsibility as steward of its local reality seems to be a common product of increasing spiritual maturity.

The all-encompassing reality initiated by the Prime Creator. All of the other realities are subsets of Spiritual Reality.

A model of Spiritual Reality compiled as a consensus of information gleaned from past revelation, what is known about physical reality and through mediumship. This cosmology has been compiled by Tom Butler

Etheric energy organized around a coherent concept. Thought Forms continue to exist while they are held in Self's attention. They are believed to slowly dissipate if they have not been well formed; when formed with a fleeting thought, for instance. If they have been formed over time with extensive attention, they can be expected to be sufficiently persistent to merge with larger forms. For instance, imagining a flower will cause a Thought Form of that image. If sufficient energy is vested in this flower Thought Form, it may eventually combine with a larger form concerning gardens or spring, for instance. Thought Forms can be attracted by attention on their contents, and their contents may be accessed or enhanced. Thought Forms do not normally exhibit qualities of a sentient entity; however, there is some evidence that they may be mistaken as an entity. There is no reason evidenced by what we understand of Natural Law that prevents a Thought Form from evolving into a Self. The Prime Creator is thought to have originated in this way.

Even though the world is considered to be composed of physical, solid objects, it is known in metaphysics that reality is etheric energy held coherent as an image. Complete acceptance of the solidity of the Physical Plane and the subsequent inability to sense reality beyond this plane, is referred to as the Veil of Forgetfulness. When Self enters into the Human condition, Self agrees to temporarily forget reality beyond the Physical Plane, thus permitting full immersion into this experience.

Some portion of Self remains aware of reality beyond the veil. This is known as the unconscious Self, as opposed to the conscious Self which is normally unaware of the greater reality. In practical terms, the point of view of Self is said to be conscious when a person is awake. It is said to be unconscious when Self's perspective is on reality beyond the veil, usually during sleep or deep meditation. Self must learn to merge the conscious and unconscious aspects of awareness as it gains in spiritual maturity. In effect, this merger is the act of parting the Veil of Forgetfulness.

The way a person views reality; a person's perspective and attitude about reality. Worldview embodies the memory of Self's experiences and the comprehension it has derived from those experiences. This is a critical concept because Self differentiates etheric energy according to its worldview. Self emanates this differentiated energy into the environment as part of the creative process, thus creating a personal reality according to its worldview.

Contact Tom Butler